Game apparatus



G, J. BOONE GAME APPARATUS May 7, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 12, 1960 y 1963 G, J. BOONE 3,088,737

GAME APPARATUS Filed May 12, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

United States Patent M 3,088,737 GAME APPARATUS Garret J. Boone, 211 Bloomington St., Greencastle, Ind. Filed May 12, 1960, Ser. No. 28,628 6 Claims. (Cl. 27385) This invention relates to a game, and more particularly, it relates to a game in which a game-piece supported by spaced, elongated, resilient members is caused to move in a desired direction by striking the members from below.

The game of the invention partakes of some of the elements of sports such as hockey and basketball in which a game-piece such as a puck or ball is maneuvered over a playing field with the object being to direct it into a designated goal area, there being two opponents or groups of opponents, each of which has its own assigned goal. On the making of a goal a certain number of points is assigned to the scoring player or team and the first team or player to achieve a given number of points or the most points in a given time wins the game.

The game of the invention is characterized by having a number of relatively thin, elongated, resilient members arranged substantially in parallel formation, the spacing between adjacent members being generally smaller than the smallest dimension of the game-piece which therefore rests on a pair of adjacent, resilient members. The movement of the game-piece, both as to direction and distance, is controlled by the players of the game by means of striking means, typically a paddle, used to strike the resilient members from below. The resultant movement of the resilient members causes the game-piece to be propelled as desired by the player of the game. Certain areas of the playing surface, designated as goals, have increased spacing between the resilient members which permits the game-piece to fall through if it lands in these areas.

The game apparatus of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention in which coil springs are used as the resilient members;

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the apparatus of FIGURE 2 from the left side;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary detail of the lower righthand corner of the board of FIGURE 2, showing the manner in which the paddles are used to advance the game-piece;

FIGURE 5 is an isometric view of a paddle of the type used. as shown in FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, perspective detail of a board similar to that of FIGURE 1 showing the use of rubber, resilient members instead of springs.

In the figures, the same numerals are used to denote like members throughout the several views.

It will be seen from the drawings that the apparatus of the invention comprises a short square or rectangular frame 10 which in the preferred embodiment is mounted on the periphery of a flat base 11. Although a base of this type is preferred, it can be dispensed with by placing the open frame on any flat surface.

Attached to and extending between two opposite sides 12 and 13 of the frame are a number of resilient, elongated, relatively narrow members which in the preferred embodiment are coil springs 14 attached by suitable means, such as screw hooks or eyes 16, to the upstanding walls of the frame at a point near the top surface thereof. The springs 14 are arranged generally in parallel, uniformly spaced relationship.

3,088,737 Patented May 7, 1963 The game-piece 17 used in the game is a light, regular polyhedron, preferably a cube, having rounded edges and corners which enable it to roll with greater facility. The size of the game-piece 17 is such that over most of the playing surface its minimum dimension is larger than the spacing between adjacent springs 14, so that it normally rests on a pair of these springs, as shown in FIGURE 2.

The opposite sides 12 and 13 of the frame It) to which springs 14 are attached are provided with elongated slots 18 and 19 passing through the wall of the frame 10 and extending for substantially the entire length thereof. These slots permit the insertion therein of paddles 21 and 22 which are used as propelling means for moving gamepiece 17 as desired during the course of the game. Each paddle (FIGURE 5) consists of a straight shaft 23 terminating in a transverse pad 24 having a length sufiicient to span two, but not more than two, adjacent springs 14. These paddles are inserted within the slot as shown with the transverse pad arranged as desired to span either one or two springs. It will be seen (FIGURE 4) that when the outer end 23 of the paddle is depressed, the lower surface of the slot acts as a fulcrum, causing the pad 24 to rise and strike one or two of the springs depending on the location of the paddle. As will be apparent, the gamepiece 17 will move in a direction parallel to the springs if both springs on which it rests are struck with equal force, whereas it will travel more or less transversely of the springs if one of these springs is struck with the stronger blow. It will be seen, therefore, that the movement of the game-piece can be controlled by the players of the game by suitable manipulation of the paddle.

Goal areas are provided in the playing area by increasing the terminal spacing of two adjacent springs 14a and 14b so that the distance therebetween exceeds the maximum dimension of game-piece 17 thereby permitting it to fall through the springs if it lands in these areas. The middle of these springs 14a and 14b is kept at the uniform spacing used for the remaining springs 14 by means of a cross tie-piece 26 which maintains the required spacing at this point. As an aid to the players, the goals may be indicated by suitable areas 27 and 28, painted or otherwise marked on base 11 directly below the springs 14a and 14b having increased spacing therebetween. Each player or team has an assigned goal area on opposite sides of the board.

Although in the preferred embodiment the elongated, resilient members used in the invention constitute coil springs, other resilient materials can be substituted therefor, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Thus, for example, single or double lengths of rubber or other elastomeric materials can also be used, as shown in FIG- URE 6. It is desirable to use a single piece of resilient material, preferably having a circular cross-section, which gives the most uniform and predictable response to the striking action of the paddle.

The game-piece 17 is suitably made of a light, rigid material, preferably styrofoam, although other materials, such as balsa wood, Celluloid and other plastics can also be used. As mentioned previously, the preferred configuration of the game-piece is a cube having rounded edges and corners for improved rolling action, although other regular polyhedrons can also be used.

For governing the play of the game, rules may be established to suit the desires of the players. In a typical method of playing, the game-piece is positioned over either of the starting circles 29 and 31 indicated on base 11 and one player starts the game by striking the springs with his paddle, after which the players alternate turns until a goal is scored or until the cube is knocked oil? the playing surface. Following any score, the player scored upon places the cube over a starting circle and takes the first shot. The game then proceeds as before.

Other rules of play will occur to players of the game. Suggested rules which may be desirable include prohibitions against shooting While the cube is still moving and against hindrance of one players shot by the other playas paddle, as Well as a prohibition against striking the game-piece (rather than the resilient members) directly.

The game is adaptable for play either by two or four players or by two teams of opposing players. In the latter instance, the members of each team may take turns in shooting, with the play alternating between the opposing teams.

It will be seen that the apparatus of the invention provides a highly diverting and entertaining game which is characterized by being subjected to the skill and proficiency of the individual players. In other words, it will be :found that proficiency in the game increases as experience is gained so that an experienced player will generally defeat an inexperienced player with relatively little difiiculty. Thus, the element of chance is to a large extent eliminated.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. In a game apparatus, the combination of a base, a frame secured to and extending around the periphery of said base, a plurality of elongated resilient members attached to and extending between only two opposite sides of said frame, each of said sides being provided with an elongated slot below said resilient members, said resilient members being substantially parallel and spaced from each other and from said base and substantially free of interconnections, and striking means movable within said slots for selectively striking from below at least one of any pair of adjacent resilient members, whereby a gamepiece resting on and supported by said pair of resilient members is propelled as desired by the player of the game.

2. The game apparatus of claim 1 in which said resilient members are coil springs.

3. The game apparatus of claim 1 in which said resilient members are formed of a rubberlike elastomeric material.

4. The game apparatus of claim 1 in which said resilient members have circular cross-section.

5. The game apparatus of claim 1 in which said striking means consists of a paddle having an elongated shaft insertable in said slot and a transverse pad having a length sufficient to span two adjacent resilient members.

6. The game apparatus of claim 1 which is provided with goal area-s comprising areas in which the spacing between adjacent resilient members exceeds the maximum dimension of said game-piece.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 850,224 Haskell Apr. 16, 1907 1,980,274 Insall et al. Nov. 13, 1934 2,160,299 Zinngrabe May 30, 1939 2,417,615 Rothe Mar. 18, 1947 2,431,552 Gosnell Nov. 25, 1947 

1. IN A GAME APPARATUS, THE COMBINATION OF A BASE, A FRAME SECURED TO AND EXTENDING AROUND THE PERIPHERY OF SAID BASE, A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED RESILIENT MEMBERS ATTACHED TO AND EXTENDING BETWEEN ONLY TOW OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID FRAME, EACH OF SAID SIDES BEING PROVIDED WITH AN ELONGATED SLOT BELOW AND RESILIENT MEMBERS, SAID RESILIENT MEMBERS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL AND SPACED FROM EACH OTHER AND FROM SAID BASE AND SUBSTANTIALLY FREE OF INTERCONNECTIONS, AND STRIKING MEANS MOVABLE WITHIN SAID SLOTS FOR SELECTIVELY STRIKING FROM BELOW AT LEAST ONE OF ANY PAIR OF ADJACENT RESILIENT MEMBERS, WHEREBY A GAMEPIECE RESTING ON AND SUPPORTED BY SAID PAIR OF RESILIENT MEMBERS IS PROPELLED AS DESIRED BY THE PLAYER OF THE GAME. 